Mungo and Guy Finlayson – two young brothers behind fast-growing events company MFGF Events – have appointed law firm TLT to provide support for their drinks festivals and the company's expansion into new business areas across the UK.
The Deeside-based business, which was founded in April 2014 and held its first festival in August 2014, currently runs three drinks festivals – Banchory Beer Festival, Inverurie Beer Festival and the brothers have a new and upcoming gin festival brand – to support Scotland's young distillers and brewers.
As the festivals continue to grow and the business looks to expand beyond drinks festivals and event management into new areas – like online distribution of craft products – its licensing needs are becoming more complex.
TLT's national licensing team acts for a wide range of retail and leisure businesses, from local and mid-sized food and drinks festivals to major events including Glastonbury Festival, events at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Sagra Italiana Glasgow.
The TLT team will be led by Stephen McGowan, partner and head of licensing (Scotland) at TLT, alongside fellow licensing experts, partner Caroline Loudon, legal director Niall Hassard and solicitor Michael McDougall.
Mungo Finlayson, co-founder of MFGF Events, says: "We are an ambitious company and we see lots of opportunities to expand as people continue to enjoy the unique flavours and experiences that Scotland's distillers and brewers have to offer.
"As our company has evolved it's important that we are able to take the best possible advice.
"TLT has the breadth of experience and genuine passion for these events that makes this a good partnership. They are well connected and their national reach means they can support us across the UK. We are extremely grateful to Stephen and the team for their excellent advice and hard work so far and are looking forward to continuing working together."
Stephen McGowan, partner and head of licensing (Scotland) at TLT, says: "Licensing is a critical but complicated process and fast-growth businesses can quickly face a number of risks. Our experience in large scale festival events means we have the skills and reputation to provide support where needed, as well as an ability to expand with our clients as they grow.
"The North-east of Scotland is home to some of the most exciting new businesses in the leisure, food and drinks market, and the success of MFGF Events is testament to the quality in the region. We are very excited to be working with Mungo, Guy and the rest of the team."
The festivals are taking place on:
- Banchory Beer Festival – August 10-11, 2018
- Inverurie Beer Festival – September 28-29, 2018
- A new gin festival – (TBC) November 2018